"Mao Tse Tung is said to have said that a journey of a
thousand miles starts with a first step. You can take that first step after tea
time." — Judge Squires to Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Billy
Downer.

"I plead not guilty, My Lord ... to all such charges
levelled at me." — The only words that accused Schabir Shaik uttered
during the trial this week.

"Zuma confided in me that he had serious financial problems
and that he was considering leaving politics. I was concerned that such a move
on his part may adversely effect the relative peace the province was
experiencing and I implored him not to leave politics. As a close friend I was
also prepared to do what I could to assist him." — Schabir Shaik in his
written not-guilty plea.

"He [Schabir Shaik] asked me what do I think about him
becoming a director-general under Jacob Zuma so I told him that he is the wrong
person because he is undisciplined.

"You know he goes to bed at three or four in the morning
and he wakes up at 11 and goes to the mosque so he can't fit in there." —
Themba Sono, former Nkobi Holdings executive director, in his Section 28
statement to the Scorpions.

"International companies were not interested in black
economic empowerment. What they were interested in was those black folks who
could open doors." — Themba Sono